Classic case of hooray drivers
The Loch Torridon Hotel, a swish retreat in north-west Scotland, has landed in hot water with its latest winter break idea. A three-day stay, costing £850, allows guests use of the hotel's collection of classic sports cars. These include cars from Ferrari, Aston Martin, Lotus and Porsche.
But the Scottish Road Safety Campaign has hit out at the hotel's marketing idea, claiming it will encourage Hooray Henrys to tear along unfamiliar, single-track Highland roads and be a danger to local people and sheep.
Newcastle still top of the tables
It looks like the lads and lasses in the kitchen at St James's Park (Newcastle United Football Club's ground) are over the moon at their Magpie Room restaurant's appearance in the Good Food Guide.
True to form the Geordies are showing their open, attacking style of play in the kitchen, as well as on the field. "We're now working towards a Michelin star," says executive chef John Blackmore.
But remember, boys (and girls), European reputations are not made overnight. We don't want next year's Michelin guide to leave you sick as a parrot.
Delia helps Norwich with her noodle
Still on a soccer theme, suggestions that Delia Smith's appointment as a director of Norwich City Football Club is part of a trend to upgrade catering at the nation's football grounds have been given short shrift by the club itself.
"Delia Smith is not coming to Norwich to improve the quality of our pies," a spokesman for the club bristled.
He stressed that the doyenne of wholesome home cooking had not been brought in to overhaul the club's catering facilities. Instead, it was her business acumen which would be called upon.
No doubt that will disappoint the footballers and fans who, Caterer understands, were looking forward to sampling some Winter Collection recipes over the next few weeks.
Secret of staying a cut above the rest
I can now reveal the secret of Ricci Obertelli's success, or, to be more accurate, his good looks.
Ever noticed how Mr Obertelli, director and general manager of London's Dorchester, never has a hair out of place?
Well now the rest of the world has noticed too and named Charles Worthington, the hairdresser who runs the Dorchester's salon, Hairdresser of the Year 1996.
Blast from the outback
The issue of names and who owns them frequently seems to get the catering industry in a tizzy. A small bistro in the Peak District has just had an unpleasant lesson in the bully-boy tactics used by certain companies in trying to preserve exclusive right to a title.
The Outback Bar-Diner has received legal threats from a Florida-based company, Outback Steakhouses Inc, for using a similar trading name.
Isn't this getting just a bit out of hand? I mean, what sort of person is going to confuse a small Bakewell restaurant with a steakhouse located close to Disneyworld?
Peaceful night is a grand idea
The Grand Hotel in Brighton, part of De Vere Hotels, has moved to make snoring a thing of the past among its guests.
Anybody checking in is being offered 3M Breathe Right nasal strips on a complimentary basis.
General manager Richard Baker points out that the strips are also useful for wine tasting - because they enable the wearer to inhale more deeply.